Just a question. And for those who want to bitch about "America". Go around the world and ask about America, The answer will be about the U.S.A. For those of you in South America, Sorry about that but life's tough. BTW I would go to S. America for vacation more then anywhere else.(well Halifax was GREAT when I went there)

HAHAHA, I just responded in the Mexican thread that perhaps a reason the US is disliked is because it is a duplitious country, and that this is why there are so many 'why do people dislike the USA', threads...

Like I just responded in a prior thread, I think a big reason is because the US is duplitious.

Look how Americans get mad about Mexico and how they are bashing the USA for the way they are treating Mexican migrants, yet Mexico treats Central American migrants at least just as bad (which is true). Look how Americans get mad about France and their double talk in several bilateral issues. It is frustrating...

That is how many other people in other countries see the US, as duplitious. They say they are for democracy but crop up dictatorships like Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, etc, because it is in US interests. The US says they are for free trade but do not wish free trade for agriculture and place protectionist barriers against foreign steel. They say that other countries should not have nukes yet the US keeps developing new types of nuclear weapons. The US blasts other countries for their human rights abuses yet the death penalty is still on and even minors are executed. The issue about US military treatment of terrorists is another issue also.

Basically, I think a major objection around the world is that the United States has no moral ground to be dictating or judging other nations.

America isn't hated. Some Americans and some American policies are hated. Some people just don't like it. Virtually everyone on this board that either despises an American or two or despises American foreign policies likes America.

Some of course don't, but that's the norm.

So tell me . . .

The point of this thread?

Another thread that says: It's a free for all beat the shit out the USA thread.

Oh, and this question duplicates a thread no two months old. Why waste your time.

Quoting Derico (Reply 3):Look how Americans get mad about Mexico and how they are bashing the USA for the way they are treating Mexican migrants, yet Mexico treats Central American migrants at least just as bad (which is true). Look how Americans get mad about France and their double talk in several bilateral issues.

This only goes to show that all countries have problems and are hypocritical in many respects. It has nothing to do with "no moral ground". That statement may be true, but it would be equally true in regards to all countries.

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 5):This only goes to show that all countries have problems and are hypocritical in many respects. It has nothing to do with "no moral ground". That statement may be true, but it would be equally true in regards to all countries

No of course all countries spin things to suit their interests, I didn't mean to say the US was particularly hypocritical. The difference is that it is the US government that constantly comes out with 'reports' about how other countries are behaving and should behave, which I think is a big reason the rest of the world gets irritated.

We know that if France, or Russia, or even the UK came with reports blasting the US on human rights, or pollution, or the economy, many Americans would say 'who are they to judge, their economies are a mess.' And Americans have reacted like that in the past. It is the same condition the other way around.

Quoting Derico (Reply 7):We know that if France, or Russia, or even the UK came with reports blasting the US on human rights, or pollution, or the economy, many Americans would say 'who are they to judge, their economies are a mess.' And Americans have reacted like that in the past. It is the same condition the other way around.

I think that your generalisations are off base. France and Russia have openly condemed the Iraq torture, economic inbalances, and a bunch of other stuff. Perhaps, you have selective hearing and reading habits?

Well we can start with Canada, who we owe $5 billion, they might not like us for that.

We can talk about Mexico and how they dislike us ther because of NAFTA.

We can go further south and talk about the dislike that Chavez is fermenting in Venezuela.

Going across the pond, many Europeans don't like us because of the war in Iraq.

In the middle east its the same deal, war in Iraq, troops on their soil, etc. etc.

But most of all, I see this dislike because we say one thing but do another. As a government, we reek of hypocrisy.

Just a few examples:
- If we're supposed to be the shining beacon of freedom and democracy, if we're supposed to be spreading these ideals in Iraq, why are we torturing? Why is there scandal at Abu Gharaib? Guantanamo Bay? Why did Bush Co. push so hard for torture? Say one thing, do another.
- Free trade, we pretty much screwed Canada over royally and we still owe them five billion dollars. We support free trade, except when its against our best interests? Say one thing, do another.
- We want to support human rights and push for freedoms, and yet we are the only western nation to still have the death penalty. We say we are in Iraq to save them from Sadaam, but we're not doing anything in Darfur. Huh? If we're going to be the world's policeman, why Iraq and not Darfur? Why Iraq and not Iran or N. Korea, where the threat seems more ominous?

There's more, but over the last couple of decades, we "stand" for some great ideal, but we don't behave as if we do. We don't walk to the talk.

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 8): think that your generalisations are off base. France and Russia have openly condemed the Iraq torture, economic inbalances, and a bunch of other stuff. Perhaps, you have selective hearing and reading habits?

And how have many Americans reacted to such comments? By saying that France has no grounds to tell the US anything about economic policy given their sluggish growth and unemployment (Wall Street Journal). Or by saying Russia is strife with human rights abuses so who are they to tell the US anything about human rights. And both sentiments have strong basis in fact. It's not like Americans can't rightfully say to France or Russia 'who are you to tell us, look at your own countries'.

If we are trying to find the root cause of the 'dislike' of the US or US government I really think it comes down to that basic human emotion that one shoudn't throw stones from a glass house.

Quoting Usnseallt82 (Reply 9):I don't think Argentina has any room to be judging the United States over morality

Though your response is insulting to say the least, particularly since you give no evidence to support such ridiculous claim, nowhere in this thread were we discussing Argentina judging the US. Thumbs down to you.

Quoting Derico (Reply 3):Basically, I think a major objection around the world is that the United States has no moral ground to be dictating or judging other nations.

But I think Different. We have every right to do that. WHY you ask? Because we have been there done that and have the t-shirt. We have had slavery, gender inequality, and racism, but we have over came that. we have had religious hatred, native killing, and more. But if you ask ANYONE in the US if they would rather live anywhere else in the world, they would say NO. WHY? Because the US is the land of hope. And that is why no matter how strong China, India, or anyone else gets, the U.S.of A. will always be looked apon as the model for other countries. We may not be the Best but condsidering the options, dont bet against US.

Quoting Derico (Reply 11):If we are trying to find the root cause of the 'dislike' of the US or US government I really think it comes down to that basic human emotion that one shoudn't throw stones from a glass house.

But I have heard the French, German, and Russian governments complain. Perhaps you are only listening to anti-US media in Argentinia. I understand, I may be incorrect, that there is a very strong sentiment there. Isn't this the same kind of complaining that your are complaining about. Its pretty funny but all I hear is people complaining.

Albert Camus called it the "judge-penitent". Judging others compromises your own integrity.

Quoting Sprout5199 (Reply 13):But I think Different. We have every right to do that. WHY you ask? Because we have been there done that and have the t-shirt. We have had slavery, gender inequality, and racism, but we have over came that. we have had religious hatred, native killing, and more. But if you ask ANYONE in the US if they would rather live anywhere else in the world, they would say NO. WHY? Because the US is the land of hope. And that is why no matter how strong China, India, or anyone else gets, the U.S.of A. will always be looked apon as the model for other countries. We may not be the Best but condsidering the options, dont bet against US.

Been there done that is not a valid reason whatsoever. Many Americans get upset when countries without the death penalty tell the US to abolish it... Couldn't that be considered a 'been there done that' situation. Or take gay rights. Maybe you can see that, to Europe and other countries, the US hasn't been there or done that. But most Americans would tell those countries to butt out. It's the same when it comes to slavery, gender equality, in other places around the world. People in those regions want the US to butt out.

I'm sure most Americans would not want to live anywhere else because economically speaking there really aren't many other choices in terms of living standards.

Quoting Sprout5199 (Reply 13):But I have heard the French, German, and Russian governments complain. Perhaps you are only listening to anti-US media in Argentinia. I understand, I may be incorrect, that there is a very strong sentiment there. Isn't this the same kind of complaining that your are complaining about. Its pretty funny but all I hear is people complaining.

No you are not. I know that other countries, specially in Europe, complain. Where did I say they didn't?? In fact I've said that in terms of economic policy, the Europeans really can't tell the United States much. Or Russia when it comes to human rights. I did say that.

Quoting Derico (Reply 12):Though your response is insulting to say the least, particularly since you give no evidence to support such ridiculous claim, nowhere in this thread were we discussing Argentina judging the US.

No, but you have made claims that the U.S. has no moral ground to judge other nations. I simply pointed out that Argentina doesn't have a very pleasant track record in the past when it comes to morality. (hint: human rights)

Don't get your panties in a wad. You're just calling the kettle black, Mr. Pot, and someone called you out on it.

Quoting Derico (Reply 17):No you are not. I know that other countries, specially in Europe, complain. Where did I say they didn't??

Quoting Derico (Reply 7):We know that if France, or Russia, or even the UK came with reports blasting the US on human rights, or pollution, or the economy, many Americans would say 'who are they to judge, their economies are a mess.'

Because of the word if, I assumed that you were implying that they haven't. However, if you were presenting it in a hypothetical manner, than I would agree with you.

Quoting Usnseallt82 (Reply 18):No, but you have made claims that the U.S. has no moral ground to judge other nations. I simply pointed out that Argentina doesn't have a very pleasant track record in the past when it comes to morality. (hint: human rights)

Don't get your panties in a wad. You're just calling the kettle black, Mr. Pot, and someone called you out on it

And we can reverse your quote the other way around and apply it to you, Mr Pot... You see this is the point I'm trying to make!

The question was 'why do people hate the USA', which admittedly is not a well phrased question, certainly 'people' don't hate the USA in the meaning of that word at all, and it's not like many people don't like the USA either.

I think that if there is a reason, it can be traced to your reaction Unseallt: you did not appreciate my seemingly judgemental comment on the US (and BTW, I'm not speaking on behalf of Argentina here, I'm speaking in behalf of Derico). It's the same reaction many people around the world have when Americans or the US make comments on their societies.

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 19):Because of the word if, I assumed that you were implying that they haven't. However, if you were presenting it in a hypothetical manner, than I would agree with you.

Yes, that is exactly how I was presenting it! I didn't mean it had never happened.

Quoting Tbar220 (Reply 10):Well we can start with Canada, who we owe $5 billion, they might not like us for that.

And no offense to my Canadian Friends . we've covered their asses for decades, they need to STFU unless they'd like to field their own REAL Army and Navy.

Quoting Tbar220 (Reply 10):We can talk about Mexico and how they dislike us ther because of NAFTA.

Mexico dislikes US because of NAFTA - we ought to dislike ourselves because of NAFTA! The American worker lost on that deal - BIG. Just as did the American truck driver.

Quoting Tbar220 (Reply 10):We can go further south and talk about the dislike that Chavez is fermenting in Venezuela.

Fascist Asshole . . . . although he runs his country and that's his business, we put BILLIONS of US$$$$ into that economy. Let him piss of the oil companies and they leave - see what kind of desert Venezuela becomes.

Quoting Tbar220 (Reply 10):Going across the pond, many Europeans don't like us because of the war in Iraq.

If that is their only argument it's pretty gawddamn weak. Half of Europe we bailed out, the other half we rebuilt.

Quoting Tbar220 (Reply 10):In the middle east its the same deal, war in Iraq, troops on their soil, etc. etc.

But it's okay for them to blow up our buildings, kill our people, ridiculous.
Now - the Middle East is a different culture, I'll grant you . . . but it doesn't excuse the extremist assholes that the Middle Eastern government KNEW existed and did nothing about and in fact fostered their existence. Fuck em.